Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Monday November 3rdAre you calm, antsy, angry, bored, scattered, scared, totally zen? I'm not sure what I am but I can't turn away from the TV. I can think of little else. Tomorrow I shall vote early, go see a movie, then get together with friends to watch the results.

Your plans?

In the past ten years we've had movies about Clinton (Primary Colors) and Bush (W.) How soon do you think we'll get a movie about our next president?

Update Tuesday November 4thGet out the vote! I'm done after a three hour wait. It was so chaotic and jubilant in the school where my district votes that I almost forgot to feel the historic rush of that lever pull. I know that NYC is a bubble and we can get a distorted view of how willing the country is to heal, reassess and progress but this crowd was so hopeful, tearful and proud to be there... I can only hope for the best in terms of a new direction for this country.

We'll be back to movies right here tomorrow but enjoy this election day. Non US readers can just sit back and marvel at the bizarreness that this US election is even half as close as it supposedly is.

Update Wednesday, November 5thLast night was absolutely joyous here on the streets of Harlem. Everything felt so good and hopeful and in January we'll finally have a president that's forward thinking, intelligent, community oriented, calm and inclusive --that acceptance speech was a marvel, wasn't it? Final results on Prop 8 in California, the night's other big battle for the soul of America, aren't in... but it's not looking so good. Even as the nation elects its first black president -- it's still having issues about deciding which of its citizens are "lesser than" and how to appropriately demean them within constitutions. That was a sobering stab of pain underneath tears of happiness last night.

Probably eating paper, pulling out my hair, screaming for no reason, punching holes in the wall, and crying. Lots of crying. I don't think I've ever been THIS anxious for something I have absolutely no control over. Especially after my dad told me the other day that he's voting for McCain for reasons that seriously make me want to cut him out of my life again.

In the case that he loses, I think McCain would make for a FASCINATING movie subject: The story of a true political maverick whose 2000 slandering by Bush results in him realizing the only way to win is to abandon everything he's ever stood for and aggressively negative campaigning, runs the dirtiest Presidential campaign in history and then loses in disgrace. Epic tragedy.

Hayden, I feel your pain. What's worse is that I will be 18 in 3 weeks. But it's not like my vote would have mattered in the Presidential election since California is a very blue state. But I wanted to vote on the propositions.

I wanted to be able to watch it all unfold live, but I'll be at work so I'll be keeping my phone on me and getting regular updates. Polling stations close at 11am our time on Wednesday and I get home at 6pm so unless it's an immediate major landslide I reckon I'll be catching the exciting part.

The real question is - in regards to a movie being made about the next U.S. President - who will play them? How will they be portrayed. Only time will tell. Let's just be sure we give the film to David Lynch.

Well, I dont live in America (even though Im half American...) so cant got and vote...but I will spent the night (time difference) at an American diner, have Burger with Fries and Milkshake, watch the election till 5oclock in the morning and then get a free American breakfast (at least this is what the diner promises...) So basically eating and drinking all night long...

Just left the polling place - my sweetie's instinct's to be up early (we were there at 5:30am) proved correct - we were fourth and fifth in line and the hall was empty (an elementary school) when we arrived but it was full up one side and down the other and going into a side hall (and the parking lot went from empty to full) by the time we left. (And this was a suburb of New London, CT, not Detroit or Chicago, thank goodness, or we'd have had to camp out the night before.)

I think they should make election day a national holiday in this country - the guy next to me was saying "I have to be out of here by 6:30 to go to work." People shouldn't have to shove it in between work and errands and what have you.

I voted no on Question 1 (an attempt by anti-gay-marriage types and the Catholic Church to have a constitutional convention - sounds harmless enough right? But the purpose for that group is to appeal the Constitution of the state to specifically ban gay marriage, which the State Supreme Court just decided should be allowed. So we shall see.)

I'm not an American so I can't vote and I'm not even in the States, but I'm absolutely excited about today.Had my breakfast with NBC, ABC and CNN without getting heartburn which is a good omen.As for movies go, Oscar for Will Smith as Obama in 2020!

Just thought I'd share that I early voted here in Ohio 2 days ago. There was a 5 hour wait, and no one in line was complaining. The Obama volunteers had free food and drink, a dj on the street corner and a good time was had by all.

Today I work (hopefully the time will pass) and tonight... drink drink drink.

I already voted. I'm working, hoping to get out early, and then head to the election party I'm hosting (complete with food from all four of the candidates home states-Chicago-style pizza, nachos (with salsa), shrimp cocktail, and baked Alaska).

I'm off to cast my ballot as soon as I pull myself away from work. Part of the bread portion of my life as a freelancer is asking a weekly survey question and I think I'll ask it while in line. I'm leaning towards: "who do you think will come out victorious on Survivor: Gabon?"

I've been thinking a lot lately about how long it will take to make an Obama movie. Or, more importantly, who the hell will play him. Seriously, which celebrated black actor is thin enough? Don Cheadle would have to shed about 20 lbs., Jamie Foxx - 30, Jeffrey Wright - about 50. And none of them look like him anway.

Looks like there's but one candidate who could play the hero in this presumably big-budget, potential blockbuster: that's right, Will Smith.

I find US politics so bizarre, but they do make for great TV.Well I pray on Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' album that Obama wins this. I just hope the crazy fanatics stay away while he is in the White House.

I'm noot an American, but I'm still emotionally invested in the outcome. So, I've been in college all day checking my phone for news on voting turnouts. Just about to go to a Drama rehearsal, then I'll take the next train home and go to an all-night Election Party in my (American) friend's house.

One positive about Texas: I was able to vote for Obama two weekends ago. One negative about Texas: Obama has no shot at all here. I took the day off to fill out grad school applications, chew fingernails and (later, inevitably) crack open a few beers.

Did anyone catch Palin earlier, refusing to pass up her "right to privacy" and divulge who she voted for?

There's definitely material for a movie in Palin. Wonder if Tina Fey would be up for it? It could be the next Corky Romano/Night at the Roxbury. Or, if Hilary Swank or similar picks up the role, it could be the next North Country. IDK. I need to turn off CNN.

I'm from Ottawa so I can't vote. I did get the joy of voting in our recent Canadian federal election, you know, the one with the lowest national turnout in our history resulting in no changes of seats at all. However, the election campaign only lasted 40 days compared to God knows how long it's been going on in the States.

When I voted today I invited my German wife (and unborn baby) to enter the booth with me. She was shocked, shocked she said, that there were more than two political parties-- like in Germany, except much less so.

We voted for Nader. She was very exhilarated by the whole experience (as I always am) and I think the baby kicked.

Prop 8 hasn't passed yet. If it doesn't pass other states would be more willing to start accepting gay marriages. Not all, but some. Problem now is what to do with all the marriages that have happened over the last six months.

Question 1 did not pass in CT which is good news - it was backed by the anti-gay groups and the Catholic Church because of the recent state supreme court ruling that gay marriage should be allowed. Voting "yes" would have created a constitutional convention in which gay marriage could have been banned in our state constitution.

I'm very sad to hear about Prop 8, though. (I hope Ellen says something about it.) It sounds as though it has passed?

And oh - my sweetie woke me up with the news that Obama won. Such sweet news!

Disappointed in prop 8, even if it's defeated. If it's defeated, it'll be barely defeated, thus prompting other states to do the same with probably more success (I always thought California was more liberal than that.)

arkaan -- i always thought california was more liberal than that too. But i think part of the problem here was that fair-minded voters everywhere were so caught up in the Obama movement that not enough resources were directed that way. I mean you still barely hear the news talking about Prop 8 even though it's a huge thing in terms of american character and our willingness to actually stand by our democratic ideals or shove them aside whenever we're uncomfortable with any particular situation or minority group.

As far as bubbles go, L.A. is the one that I live in. To show you how aggressive the Yes on 8 campaign was, they had the balls to canvass in West Hollywood . . . that should have been a huge sign to me . . .

Does prop 8 need 51% to pass or 60%. In Florida it's 60%, I wasnt sure if thats in California as well. Very disappointed in Amendment 2 in Florida. People have no idea that it wasnt just attcking gay rights, but also common law marriages of heterosexual couples. The Conservative Right capitializes on the Religious Ignorance.

I still can't put into words everything I'm feeling about Obama pulling this off. I never thought I'd see this in my lifetime, but I'm elated that I did. That acceptance speech . . . incredible. I don't think I've ever been prouder of a vote that I've cast for president than I am right now.

Ironically, it was probably the strong African-American vote in CA for Obama that also signaled Prop 8 being passed there. Most are quite religious and didn't want marriage redefined on any terms versus what's in the Bible. That struck a chord for them to vote conservatively at least there. Sad occurrence, but entirely strategic.

Being a Black woman, I am elated that Barack has been elected, but I am saddened about the Prop 8 situation.

Life is too short to hate.I just don't get why people care so much about passing prop 8. Does it bother people that much? People have far too much time on their hands. It definitely makes me want to see Milk more.

You were in Harlem too? Wasn't it crazy? And awesome? A "grandchild moment" if there ever was one! (A grandchild moment being the kind of thing you'll tell your grandchildren, "Oh I celebrated in Harlem when Barack Obama was elected.")

Of course, the probable passing of Prop 8 as well as its Florida equivalent and the ban on gay adoption in Arkansas makes the 4th of November 2008 not a total victory...

IMHO opinion is wasn't just the Black vote or the young vote that allowed this to pass. It was a combination of all, including Whites and old. You can't win something without the contribution of many groups.

anon -- it wasn't young voters. they were majority against it from articles i've read.

it was southern california, religious voters, and the black vote (which was surging for Obama -- but unfortunately not listening to the Obama/Biden position on Prop 8 which was "no" ... albeit not well publicized)

After watching Obama's acceptance speech, I went to my room, closed the door behind me, leaned up against it and teared up in the dark knowing now I, too, can achieve anything I want and have ran out of excuses. It was the single greatest feeling of relief and adrenaline I've felt in a long time about anything.